Biology Major

Overview
Biology is the study of living things and the interactions between them. Knowledge of biological principles helps a student think analytically and logically and aids in the ability to make informed and responsible decisions. The major objectives of the Biology Department are to provide a basis for a liberal arts education and to prepare students to pursue careers in research, teaching, industry or medicine.

Since biology is based on mathematics and the physical sciences, students need to be well grounded in these areas. For this reason, majors are encouraged to take additional math, chemistry and physics courses beyond the required minimum.

Students preparing for graduate school or a career in industry or research are encouraged to take Analytical Chemistry (CH 307), Biochemistry (CH 302), General Physics (PY 201, 202) and Mathematics through Calculus (MT 210, 211).

Biology Major: 38 credits
Required courses for Major: BL 105, 106, 202, 203, 207, 306, 307, 308, 401, 402, 403, 405.
Required auxiliary classes for Major: CH 113, 114, 201, 202; two courses in Mathematics.
A minimum of a C (2.0) is required for each course in the biology major or minor. This includes the auxiliary courses. A student earning a grade lower than the minimum acceptable grade in any course in the major or minor may repeat the course only once at Stritch. A student who receives a second unsatisfactory grade in any course in the major or minor will be dismissed from the major or minor field.

Biology Minor: 22 credits
Required courses for Minor: BL 105, 106, 207, 306, 307 and one other biology course above 200.
Auxiliary courses for Minor: CH 113, 114, 201, 202; two courses in mathematics.

Requirements for Teacher Certification
Required courses for Minor: BL 105, 106, 207, 306, 307 and one other biology The courses required for the biology major as listed above constitute the biology course sequence approved by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for certification of secondary teachers of biology.
A course sequence for Elementary (grades 1-9) Science Teaching minor certification is also available.
Students preparing to teach at the elementary or secondary level must meet all curricular standards set by the DPI. In addition to the sciences and mathematics, all required courses in the Education sequence in preparation for teaching at the elementary or secondary levels must be completed. Please refer to the Education Department guidelines for further information.
Required courses for the Elementary Science Teaching Minor: BL 105, 106, 401; CH 101, 109; BL/CH 210, PY 150; For Education courses required for certification, see Education section. Biology courses that fulfill the University’s Core requirements: BL 102, 104, 105, 107, 207, 210, 220.

Faculty

Kathleen S. Bates
Adjunct Instructor
(414) 410-4138
ksbates@stritch.edu

Nighat P. Kokan
Assistant Professor
(414) 410-4138
npkokan@stritch.edu

Daniel P. Meer
Assistant Professor
(414) 410-4137
dpmeer@stritch.edu

Debra A. Meuler
Assistant Professor
(414) 410-4136
dameuler@stritch.edu

Dawn M. Wankowski
Adjunct Instructor
(414) 410-4136
dmwankowski@stritch.edu

Alumni

Heather Kaminski, ’06 – Biochemistry Ph.D. student, Medical College of Wisconsin (link to video)
Keith Naps, ’06 – Biology Ph.D. student, University of Minnesota
Shiela Coker, ’05 – Scientist, Industrial Biology Lab
Andrew Callan, ’04 – Quality Control Chemist, Fontarome Chemical, Inc.
Adrian Singh, ’03 – Chemistry Ph.D. student, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee